It’s a scenario almost every sports parent faces eventually: halfway through the season, your child looks at you and says, “I don’t want to go to practice anymore.”
Your immediate reaction might be to push back with “We don’t quit what we start,” or to give in immediately to stop the tears. But before making a quick decision, it’s essential to understand the root cause behind their sudden resistance.
In my chat with Dr. Jon Skidmore, we discussed how parents can navigate this exact crossroads:
1. Uncover the “Why”
Kids rarely want to quit simply because they dislike the sport. Often, there’s an underlying reason making the environment uncomfortable. Ask open questions to get to the truth:
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Did a teammate say something hurtful?
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Are they embarrassed about making a mistake in front of others?
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Do they feel like they can’t meet the coach’s or parents’ standards?
2. Evaluate the Emotional Cost
There is a distinct difference between working through normal struggle and putting a child through constant distress. If going to practice results in tears, extreme anxiety, or complete emotional withdrawal every single time, forcing them to stay may end up doing more harm than good.
3. Seek Buy-In
For sports to yield positive social and emotional benefits, the athlete needs to want to be there. If a kid feels dragged into an activity, their internal motivation vanishes. Work with your child to find small ways to reignite their sense of fun, or re-evaluate whether another activity might align better with their passions.